Kalamazoo raises curfew to include 16-year-olds

KALAMAZOO -- The Kalamazoo City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to extend current curfew prohibitions to 16-year-olds, raising the effective age by a year.

Currently, it's unlawful for minors between the ages of 12 and 15 to be "in or on any street, alley or public place in the city, between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m."

The new age limit takes effect in 10 days.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety sought the change as part of its efforts to curb youth violence.

"The curfew ordinance has been an effective tool for Public Safety when dealing with young people, especially those in large groups, who are out at night without a legitimate purpose," Deputy City Attorney Randall Schau said in a memo to commissioners. "Public Safety believes, however, that the ordinance would be even more effective if the age limit was increased from 'under 16 years' to 'under 17 years.'"

Commissioners also approved adding language to ban "any person 17 years or older to assist, aid, abet or encourage a minor" to violate curfew.

"But we still have a public safety obligation," Mallery said. "It's another tool to address rebellious behavior that occurs in our city."

Mallery said initial curfew-violation contacts generally result in a call to parents or guardians to pick up the young person at Public Safety headquarters. Minors who repeatedly violate the curfew could face a juvenile court petition.